Missouri Master Gardeners Extension Program helps others learn to grow

Helping others learn to grow is the mission of the Missouri Master Gardeners Extension Program.

The work of certified Master Gardeners in the Southeast Region -- which includes Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Madison, Iron, Wayne, Scott, Mississippi, Pemiscot and Butler counties -- is recognizable not only in the community landscapes they create and maintain. Proceeds from their annual plant sale fund scholarships for horticulture students and community betterment through donations.

Certified Master Gardeners have taken 30 hours of training offered by the University of Missouri Extension and spend 30 hours engaged in volunteer service in the community. To maintain active status, Master Gardeners must report 20 hours of volunteer service plus a recommended six or more additional hours of continuing education.

"It is like taking a course in general horticulture," said Donna Aufdenberg, University of Missouri horicultural specialist and Master Gardener program director for the Southeast Region since 2003.

The Southeast Region Master Gardener program was started in 1994 by University of Missouri agronomy specialist Gerald Bryan and University of Missouri horticulturist Mike McCullough.

Brandon Bell, left, and Jerry Lewis carry selections for their first flower pot and experienced garden, respectively, April 18, during the Cape Master Gardeners sale at Arena Park.

"It was the first nonmetropolitan Master Gardener group in Missouri," Bryan said. Of the 19 charter members of the local group, two-thirds of the class had bachelor of science degrees in horticulture, Bryan said.

"I realized I knew less than half of what those going through the class did," Bryan said.

Eight of the charter members still remain active 15 years later. Some give an excess of 80 hours above the number of hours mandated annually for active status.

"This group has returned a lot of the money to the community. ... Others have returned labor and others are teaching people things like how to landscape property around their houses. Plus they've held seminars," Bryan said.

The success of the charter class in terms of efficiently spreading their knowledge was due not only to their passion for gardening but commitment to helping others, Bryan said.

Bryan said he recently called on charter member, Anne Foust of Cape Girardeau, for identification of a weed.

"She knew what it was right away," he said.

Foust has been a Federated Garden Club of Missouri member since 1965. She knew of the Master Gardener program from Master Gardener friends in Columbia, Mo., and St. Louis who were also Federated Garden Club members. Foust has been co-chairwoman of the annual local Master Gardeners plant sale, now in its 10th year. A few years ago, the Master Gardeners partnered with the Southeast Missouri State University horticulture department. The partnership allowed the sale to expand with plants grown during winter months in the university's greenhouses.

Getting the plants started is a pleasure for the Master Gardeners during dreary winter days.

"It's a really rewarding experience, a group-building opportunity," Foust said.

Putting baskets and combination planters together for the sale is an extension of Foust's creativity. Also an artist known for her work in jewelry and gourds, the garden is another creative medium for Foust.

"It connects me to the earth," she said. "It grounds me. I don't know why, but I'm drawn to it. It relaxes me."

The demand for Master Gardener training has increased since 2003, resulting in training sometimes offered twice a year and a less intensive introduction to gardening class offered periodically. In 1997, a program for forestry was created, modeled after the Master Gardener program.

"The new crop [of Master Gardeners] is a good mix -- those with true gardening passion, those with no experience who want to learn and try to have a home vegetable garden or landscape," Aufdenberg said. "Others want to start their own landscape business. Then there are those who want training to grow for farmers markets or open nurseries or greenhouses."

She said demand for the class is high. She has received 15 requests in the last two months from people interested in Master Gardeners training.

"There is a great need for beginner gardeners to get this information. There's an opportunity to network and do a lot of problem solving," she said. "The other thing is, we as extension professionals are stretched and this gives Master Gardeners the opportunity to help communities."

The next Master Gardener class is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, from July 16 to Sept. 17 at the University of Missouri Jackson Extension Center, 684 W. Jackson Trail. Aufdenberg said there will be additional training past the 10 weeks, but those plans are not yet solid. The cost is $165; $50 will be refunded upon completion of the volunteer service. For more information, visit extension.missouri.edu/bollinger/MasterGardener/semomg.htm or call Aufdenberg at 573-238-2420.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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pertinent address:

University of Missouri Jackson Extension Center, 684 W. Jackson Trail, Jackson.